How do you fit a Christmas tree in a small apartment?

Finding space for a Christmas tree in a small apartment can seem daunting, but with some creativity and planning, it is very doable. The key is to think about the dimensions of your space and tree, and get strategic about placement. Here are some tips and tricks for fitting a Christmas tree in a small apartment.

What are the dimensions of your space?

The first thing you need to do is take measurements of the room you want to put the tree in. Make sure to measure the height from floor to ceiling, and the width and depth of the space. This will give you an idea of what size tree will fit.

Here are some quick tree size guidelines for small spaces:

Room Size	Maximum Tree Height
Studio apartment	4-5 feet
1 bedroom apartment	5-6 feet
2 bedroom apartment	6-7 feet

In general, the tree should be no more than 1-2 feet shorter than your ceiling height to fit proportionately. You can always go smaller if needed.

Get creative with tree placement

Once you know what size tree will fit, get creative with where you can place it in the room. Here are some ideas:

– In a corner – This takes advantage of unused space and makes the tree look bigger.

– Next to furniture – Position the tree next to a sofa, chair, TV stand, etc to aesthetically fill the space.

– In an entryway – Many small apartments have narrow entryways that can accommodate a thin tree.

– Opposite the window – The tree will look nice framed in front of window light.

– On a table or stand – Elevate a small tree on a table to raise it up.

– In the bedroom – If the main living space is too small, consider the bedroom.

Choose a slim tree

There are certain types of Christmas trees that are specifically designed to fit in compact spaces:

Tree Type	Description
Slim trees	Extremely narrow with sparse branching; under 1.5-2 feet diameter
Tabletop trees	Miniature trees meant for tabletop use; under 3 feet tall
Potted trees	Small live trees grown in pots; versatile and temporary

These slender, minimal options will fit places regular full-sized trees can’t. Look for them at tree lots, hardware stores, or online.

Try an alternative tree

If you just don’t have space for a standard Christmas tree, get creative with these non-traditional alternatives:

– Mini tree on a counter or table
– Artificial tree hung on a wall
– Christmas tree branch built into a bookshelf
– Trees made from garland or string lights
– Painted tree mural on a wall or window
– Tree sculpture made from decorations

You can make your tiny “tree” feel festive with lights and ornaments. There are lots of Pinterest-worthy ideas!

Use decor tricks to make the tree look bigger

A few simple decorating techniques can make a small tree feel fuller:

– Fluff the branches frequently to fill them out
– Use oversized tree topper and ornaments
– Wrap garland vertically down the tree
– Fill in open spots with holiday floral picks
– Add Christmas figures, stuffed animals, etc to take up space
– Set large gifts under the tree skirt to create height

Using these strategies can make even a 3 foot tree seem impressive!

Light it up

Strategic lighting can also help a small tree make a big visual impact in your apartment. Here are some tips:

– Use large, C9 Christmas lights instead of mini lights – these will stand out more.
– Incorporate string lights into your decor – line the window, top of a bookshelf, etc to reflect light.
– Spotlight or up-light the tree with lamps to create dimension.
– Decorate the tree topper with bright LED lights.
– Add tree skirt lights or a projector light to create an illuminated tree base.

Bathing your petite tree in holiday glow will really make it twinkle and shine.

Pick the right tree topper

A bold, eye-catching tree topper is a must for small trees. It will draw the eye upward and make the tree feel taller. Some topper ideas:

– Oversized star or tree topper decoration
– DIY topper like a bow, paper sculpture, or floral arrangement
– Painted wooden or felt topper with fun shapes
– Lighted tree topper or tree top star
– Tree skirt ruffles pulled up and secured at the top

Have fun playing up the top with something statement-making!

Try multi-purpose furniture

Using furniture that serves more than one use can help you accommodate a tree in a compact apartment. Some ideas:

Furniture	Tree Idea
Ottoman bench	Lift off top and put tree inside base
Nested tables	Place tree on smaller table, nested inside larger one
Bar cart	Put tree on bottom shelf
Ladder shelf	Secure tree to lean against ladder
Plant stand	Use as tree stand in a corner

Dual-purpose furniture like nesting and stacking pieces are great space-savers.

DIY a wall-mounted tree

If you don’t have floor space, take your tree vertical by creating a wall-mounted tree. Here’s how:

1. Buy a small artificial tree, garland, or make a tree shape from chicken wire.
2. Attach it securely to a wall or door using heavy duty hooks and fishing line.
3. Decorate with lights, ornaments, etc as desired.
4. Optionally frame it out with trim to give a “shadowbox” look.

This is a whimsical way to get a tree without taking up square footage.

Incorporate reflections

Hanging a mirrored glass ornament or garland on your small tree will create the illusion of more space and double the twinkle.

Or turn any mirror, glass table, or window into a reflective surface behind the tree. The reflection will make the tree appear larger and brighter.

Elevate the tree creatively

Instead of a traditional tree stand, try displaying your petite tree on:

– A table, chest or ottoman
– Stacked vintage suitcases
– On the mantle over your fireplace
– A ladder leaning against the wall
– Hanging from the ceiling or pipes

Elevating the tree creatively or hanging it overhead leaves floor space open underneath for gifts or decor.

Conclusion

With some clever planning and style tricks, even the tiniest apartment can accommodate a Christmas tree! The key is finding the right small tree for your space, and strategically placing it to maximize impact. Multi-purpose furniture and alternative tree options can also help expand your possibilities. A beautiful holiday tree is possible in apartments big or small – you just need to get a little creative.